Radio set to merge news bulletins

Reading news will be absorbed into coverage of Oxford when Heart rebrands next month

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Reading news will be absorbed into coverage of Oxford when a county radio station rebrands next month.

Heart FM Berkshire, which took over 2tenfm in March 2009, is to merge with its Oxford operation to become Heart Thames Valley.

The move will mean an even bigger area for the station to cover with local news for the whole of the Thames Valley all being created out of the one office in Calcot.

Global Radio, which runs Heart, has promised the move will result in a “centre of broadcasting excellence” in Reading and said an improved programme output will benefit all listeners.

The Thames Valley region encompasses 2,200 square miles and a population of more than two million people with major towns including Reading, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Slough and Oxford.

Global Radio has decided to implement the merger after a relaxation in Ofcom regulations that mean stations can co-locate and share programmes. The new centre at The Chase will become one of 15 ‘super-centres’ across the country and will broadcast to 7.4 million listeners per week, making the largest commercial audience in Britain.

But bosses are reassuring listeners that the station will remain as local as it is now. Katie Lassman, account executive for Heart, said: “In terms of Reading this means the station will become part of Heart Thames Valley which will broadcast a local breakfast show, and drivetime show, and there will be an enhanced local news on the hour through daytime.”

Hugh Murray, from Heart Thames Valley, said: “This is an exciting time for Reading, being at the centre of Heart Thames Valley. Our improved programme output and more efficient sales operation places us in a strong position for the future.”